The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is warning about criminals using stolen identities to open bank accounts and submitting Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) applications in people’s names.
Since the federal government launched CERB, it has been subject of a number of scams, said Daniel Michaud, media relations office for the Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC).
“The CAFC continues to receive reports of service scams, phishing scams and identity fraud related to the CERB,” he said.
There are also reports of third-party companies who offer to assist with government applications, including CERB.
These companies then send an invoice for their services, and may suggest that this fee covers the taxable portion of the income. Additionally, many of these companies may seem to be associated to the government, but they are not.
The fraud centre is also urging caution about phishing scams sent by email or text, where the message suggests that a citizen can submit an application, but the information needs to be confirmed or that the payment is ready but needs confirmation.
When people click the link, they are directed to a fraudulent website and asked to submit personal information.
Here are some tips by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on how protection from fraud.
1, Learn everything there is to know about the CERB and submit an application at: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
2, Government of Canada and provincial government services are free to access.
3, Do not respond to unsolicited emails or text messages.
4, Immediately report any unauthorized credit applications to the associated financial institution and the credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion.
Please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 if you or someone you know has been defrauded.
Fraud can also be reported online at www.antifraudcentre.ca
